The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-07-02

longer dcmure in her manner, and the eyes ot the younger sparkled with fun as she waited on me, but reflained from conversation further than to thank them now and then. saying ever to myself: My host says l am an honorable man," but l fear my looks betrayed my admiration.
 After supper the bey conducted me to my apartment where coffee was brought by the damsels, both of whom I learned were his daughters. lex pressed to the bey my warmest thanks for his hospitality. and by the great confidence he had shown by admitting me among his family. Upon this he said he would relate why he had broken through the Mahometan cus- come in his harcm. He was fulfilling a VOW made years ago, that whenever he had an opportunity he would en- deavor to give proof of his gratitude for kindness received from the captain of British merchant vessel.
 "When l was a young man" contin- ued the bey, 'betore was married, l went on pilgrimage from Alexan- dria on a Turkish vessel bound to Constantinople. We encountered a heavy gale, the vessel was old and rot ten, leaks were sprung, and the cap tain, crew and myself, who was the only passenger. had barely time to get into the ships boat, when the vessel sank. lost all my clothes and money, with the exception of few pidsf,'eS. We expected every moment that the boat would bc swamped by the heavy seas breaking around Us, when a ship hove in sight. Signals ot distress were made, and she came to our assist ance, and we were all taken safely on board. She proved to bc an English vessel bound for Salonica. The cap tain, a kind hearted but rough-loo ing sailor, gave Us dry clothes, and dressed me in a warm suit of his own and supplied us with food.
 We arrived at Salonica. and l was enabled through the Pratrique mas ter, who understood little English. to express my gratitude. l offered to pay for my passage and food. The captain was indignant, and said he would not accept farthing; but on the contrary, having learned that had no money 10 continue my voyage, and had no friends in Salonica. put a sum of money into my hands which would enable me to proceed to Con- stantinople.
 "You," he continued, ''aIe the first Englishnan to whom l have had an opportunity of showing feelings of gratitude pent up to your countryman who saved my life.
 then told him that l was one of the secretaries of the British embassy at Constantinoplc, and what had been the object of my visit to -. l said I should make known to the "Great llchee" his hospitality and kindness. He again impressed upon me his anX- ious wish that l should keep my re- ception in his household secret, and above all. the fact that 1 had been waited on by his daughters-fo for he said it would be serious matter if this was known to his coreIigionists; but he consented that should let the ambassador know confidcntially all that had happened; but to my Turkish friends at Constantinoplc should mention only that l and my servant had received shelter for the night in his farmyard. He also requested me not to tell the Greek 1 had not seen any women in the house
 At sunrise next day 1 was up. and going into the courtyard gave dircc- tions to my servant to have the horses ready for start as soon AS l break lasted. He informed me that he had been well taken care of. gave the Greek several gold y,,"sf,"s, which ! directed should be distributed among the dependents of the bey. He in- formed me that he had learned from the old gatekcepcr that the bey had only one wife, and no other inmates of the harem except his two daughters and some black slaves. A good break fast was ready for me As l re-cntered the house, and again the pretty dam sels waited on me without the pres cnce of their father; and though l had lost my heart Git was an easy matter in those days) to the blue-eycd little maiden, 1 refrained from saying any thing more than expressions of thanks l Tn the most polite Iurklsh, keeping steadfastly in mind that an "Eng glish gentleman is an honorable man."
 ! On going away. the bcy accompa- l nied me to the door, and while reit- erated my warinest thanks he put into my hand little sealed packet. obsrv- ing: You will pardon me for return ing the handsome bokShcesh you lad directed the Greek to distribute among my dependents. The latter have made known and returned to me what they had received: shall reward them. but cannot allow that you should do so. It would have given me-" he added,